The steaming Kīlauea Caldera lies at the heart of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and although this sacred feature draws many visitors, the living wonders that the park encompasses are equally significant.
The largest national park in the U.S. Pacific islands extends from sea-level to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Within the park are rainforests teeming with native birds and rare plants, montane and dry woodlands that are home to culturally important species, and a dynamic coastline.
Hawaiian plants and animals began to evolve over 70 million years ago in nearly complete isolation. Over 90% of the native terrestrial flora and fauna in Hawaiʻi are found only in the Hawaiian islands. This level of endemism surpasses all other places on Earth, and the park is a living laboratory for studying biogeography and evolution within the Pacific islands.
The largest national park in the U.S. Pacific islands extends from sea-level to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Within the park are rainforests teeming with native birds and rare plants, montane and dry woodlands that are home to culturally important species, and a dynamic coastline.
Hawaiian plants and animals began to evolve over 70 million years ago in nearly complete isolation. Over 90% of the native terrestrial flora and fauna in Hawaiʻi are found only in the Hawaiian islands. This level of endemism surpasses all other places on Earth, and the park is a living laboratory for studying biogeography and evolution within the Pacific islands.
What's Monitored Here
Early Detection of Invasive Plants
Early detection of invasive plant species is a key component in helping to curtail the spread of noxious weeds into surrounding areas
Established Invasive Plant Species
Nonnative plant species invasions present a serious threat to Pacific island ecosystems
Focal Terrestrial Plant Communities
Long-term vegetation monitoring helps us determine plant community health, ecosystem stability, and the effectiveness of management
Landbirds
On Pacific islands, birds pollinate the majority of woody plant species and disperse their seeds
Landscape Dynamics
Landscape dynamics monitoring in parks provides information on land use and land cover change
PACN I&M Inventory and Monitoring Reports, Protocols, and Articles from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Last updated: September 12, 2024